#kajibanten

[heracliteanfire]

Kajibanten jacket, natural-coloured plain weave kuzu fibre with applied kuzu fibre decoration, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Edo period, 18th-early 19th century.

“This jacket, or kajibanten, shown with its matching chest protector (muneate), is part of the ceremonial costume of a samurai fireman. It is made from fibre taken from the inner bark of the kuzu plant which requires a great deal of processing to make it pliable enough to weave. This kajibanten would have been worn in the summer, the openwork nature of the kuzu cloth being very suitable for humid weather. At other times of the year a cotton version would have been worn. Such a delicate garment was only used for ceremonial purposes, however. When actually fighting a fire a much more robust jacket, often of leather, would have been worn.“

(via V&A)

[thekimonogallery]

Fireman's jacket, constructed of plain weave kuzu fibre with applied kuzu fibre decoration. Late 18th - early 19th century, Japan. This jacket, or kajibanten, shown with its matching chest protector (muneate), is part of the ceremonial costume of a samurai fireman. It is made from fibre taken from the inner bark of the kuzu plant which requires a great deal of processing to make it pliable enough to weave. This kajibanten would have been worn in the summer, the openwork nature of the kuzu cloth being very suitable for humid weather. At other times of the year a cotton version would have been worn. Such a delicate garment was only used for ceremonial purposes, however. When actually fighting a fire a much more robust jacket, often of leather, would have been worn.  Text and Image V&A Museum